It will be an emotional start to the 2019 New Zealand NBL season this weekend. All five games in the first round will commence with a minute’s silence in memory of those who lost their life in Christchurch on 15 March.
NBL General Manager, Justin Nelson, says that at each game this weekend both teams and the referees will join together in the middle of the court, arm-in-arm, to reflect while also showing a sign of love towards the families and Muslim communities affected in Christchurch.
“New Zealanders have come out in force to show their love and compassion, especially towards our Muslim communities in Aotearoa. The basketball community wanted to stand as one, and send our thoughts and prayers, and to remember those we lost.
“Basketball is a sport played all around the world, and if you go to tournament in New Zealand you’ll see people from all walks of life, we all play the game together. In the first round of the NBL, the basketball community will be reinforcing that we practice appreciation and understanding for all races, ethnicities and creeds – we are all one people.”
The NBL tips off this Thursday.
